London, Aug 12 : For most sportsmen, it's hard work and determination that earns them success, but in case of Rebecca Adlington, a world-class swimmer, the case is bit different.

Adlington, the first British woman to win an Olympic swimming gold medal in nearly half a century, has revealed that it was designer shoes that propelled her victory.

"Well, I was promised some Jimmy Choo shoes if I win, so that's one pair ... and my mum's promised to get me another pair of Christian Louboutin shoes," Times Online quoted Rebecca, as saying.

The 19-year-old said: "I've got two pairs already. I loooove shoes. I want one pair for every outfit. I've got well over 30 pairs but you can never have enough."

She also revealed that she would like to trade in her clapped-out Vauxhall for "an Audi like mum's".

Her victory in the 400m freestyle was unexpected; so much so that her parents, Kay, a housewife, and Steve, managing director of a steel manufacturing company, had decided to fly out to Beijing for her next event, the 800m freestyle, for which she is favourite.

ANI